Synopsis

Plot

The episode begins in the school library, with Gumball eating a bag of chips rather noisily while Darwin is trying to research something on a computer. Darwin shushes him several times, causing Gumball to give up on the chips and open a soda instead. Finally, Darwin snaps and reminds Gumball that food and drinks are not allowed in the library. Gumball then mocks him and asks him if he thinks that he is a klutz, before slipping and crashing into the computer, somehow setting fire to it in the process. Gumball tries putting the fire out with the soda bottle, only to worsen the situation. He finally resorts to pounding on the computer with a fire extinguisher, only to demolish it. The librarian hears this and runs over to scold Gumball. However, Alan, who was watching the whole thing, takes the blame and the librarian gives him detention instead.

While Alan is being yelled at by Miss Simian, the librarian, and Principal Brown, Gumball wonders why Alan would risk getting detention, to which Darwin replies that Alan is "pure." Gumball then decides to find Alan's breaking point, as "the people deserve to know" and because he has nothing else to do.

Back in the library, Alan is seen giving a "thumbs up" to every post on Elmore Plus, claiming that it might buy someone a smile. Gumball decides to distract Alan, saying that someone is in need of his help. While he is gone, Gumball makes a very rude post. It receives so many "thumbs down" that they start filling up the screen. When Alan comes back, the thumbs down start hitting him in the face. Rather than getting angry at Gumball for "assassinating" his account, Alan kisses him, stating that he now has a chance to befriend them all again.

Outside, Gumball has Darwin draw Alan's face on a balloon, but Darwin cannot remember what Alan's face looks like, so Gumball demonstrates it for him, telling him not to forget any details. However, Darwin takes this too literally and adds everything he saw. Gumball then proceeds to swap Darwin's face and stick it on the balloon.

In Principal Brown's office, Gumball is seen wearing a fedora and an overcoat while sitting in Principal Brown's chair. He shows Carmen a series of photographs of "Alan" cheating on her with "everyone" and "everything." After being asked what he has to say for himself, Alan states that he loves her too much to tell her how to feel. Carmen then storms out of the scene, breaking up with Alan. Despite this, he is still not angry and states something about true love, only to be interrupted by Gumball banging his head on Principal Brown's desk in frustration.

In the school cafeteria, Alan is eating spaghetti and meatballs while singing a song about it. Just as he is about to eat the last meatball, however, Gumball snatches it, rubs it upon his face, and rudely devours it in front of him. Still not angered, Alan reveals to him that he saves the last of his food for those that need it more than he does. Enraged, Gumball begins throwing trays off of the table and behaving as if an ape would.

In Miss Simian's classroom, Gumball asks Darwin if he is going too far, to which the latter replies that the former went too far "about seven hours ago" and tells him that he will be going to prison. Gumball then shows Alan a tape of his parents being turned into balloon animals at a child's birthday party. However, Alan states that he is glad to see his parents making children happy and that the situation is not bad at all, seeing as they are balloons.

Back outside, Gumball asks Alan how he is not upset despite everything he has done. Alan then explains to the former that staying positive is his secret. As a demonstration, the Hobo comes by and offers Alan an old popsicle, which Alan takes from him while also giving him twenty dollars. A child then gives some balloon animals (Alan's parents) to him in exchange for the popsicle. The Hobo then comes back cleaned up and wearing a suit, stating that he is now an entrepreneur and gives him twenty dollars with interest, which comes to twenty million. Alan is then bombarded by girls, only to be shooed away by Carmen, who asks for Alan's forgiveness, to which he replies "yes." Finally, Carmen gives him some meatballs and the two walk away together, having restored their relationship. Taking this the wrong way, Gumball and Darwin decide to say yes to everything.

At the hospital, Gumball and Darwin are given some medicine found in the back of the refrigerator by a twitchy scientist, with disastrous results. Later, Mr. Small asks them if they would like to do an activity for a charity, to which they agree. However, the charity involves the two jumping out of an airplane while dressed like pigeons and sporting parachutes "rated for slightly lighter people." After landing, Mr. Small reveals that the charity was designed to raise awareness of saving pigeons. The plane then crashes into a building in the background, as nobody was piloting it.

Later, just as Gumball is complaining that saying yes to everything is not working out, a man begins to choke. After being convinced by Darwin that helping the man will cause him to win the lottery and them to end up with jetpacks while wearing pants made out of white tiger skin, eating unobtainium and living in a house made of crystal, the two decide to pretend that they are doctors and volunteer to help him. As a result, they have a house made of crystal beside the Robinsons' house, with Gumball and Darwin earning everything mentioned previously. Unfortunately, the two are quickly bored with their new lifestyle, and decide to return to their previous lives.

Back at Elmore Junior High, Gumball apologizes to Alan for trying to make him lose his temper, who tells him that it is important to stay true to yourself. As Gumball walks away, however, Alan yells at him, telling him to stop dragging his feet because of the annoying squeaking sound it makes. Excited that he has finally broken Alan, Gumball rushes to tell Darwin. As he leaves, Alan reverts back to his happy state, and ends the episode by saying "whatever makes you happy, my friend."

Trivia

This episode was accidentally aired a week early in the time slot intended for "The Friend." Its original airdate prior to this incident was on January 22, 2015.

Additionally, a preview for new episodes for the week of January 22, 2015 shows clips from this episode, despite it already being shown.[1]

In the cafeteria scene, Gumball dirtied the camera after throwing the plate, thus breaking the fourth wall.

In the U.S. broadcast, when Carmen is flipping through the photos of Darwin disguised as Alan, there is a noticeable cut between showing the pictures of Banana Joe and the toilet. Pausing at the right time shows there was also a picture of Leslie, which was cut out but not removed from every frame. This edit was also in the digital version of the episode sold on sites like iTunes and Amazon.com.

The barely cut off photo of Leslie, unlike the others, is smiling.

The names of Alan's mother and father are revealed for the first time. Their names are Jessica and Dexter, respectively.

In the Library

[Alan, Gumball, and Darwin are browsing the internet. Gumball eats some chips noisily while they do this.]

Darwin: Sh!

[Gumball tries to chew slowly and quietly, and Darwin shakes his head. He continues chewing, then tries to swallows as silent as possible. Just as Darwin continues browsing, Gumball opens a bottle of soda with a hiss. He glares at his brother, and the latter again tries to open the bottle slowly and quietly.]

Gumball: [To bottle] Sh! [Drinks]

Darwin: [Quietly] Dude. You're not allowed to bring food into the library! You might damage one of the computers!

Gumball: [Normal voice] What do you take me for -- some kind of klu--uhh! [Slips on chair]

[He slams his head into the computer, and causes it to burst into flames. He and Darwin scream silently. Gumball motions to his soda, but Darwin shakes his head. He dumps his soda on the flames anyway, and this makes the fire to go out. But the soda electrocutes the computer monitor, and starts another fire. The duo scream silently again, and Gumball takes a fire extinguisher. He tries to put out the fire by literally beating the fire with the extinguisher, and this makes the computer explode and stop burning. The explosion is heard by the Librarian.]

Testing Alan

[From the hallway, Gumball and Darwin watch as Alan takes the blame for them in the principal's office. Principal Brown, Miss Simian, and the Librarian shout at him while he sheds a tear with his saintly face.]

Gumball: Dude, why would he do that?

Darwin: Because he's pure! That's not even the nicest thing he's done! Remember the swimming pool?

[Flashback. Tobias is unconscious by the pool with a group of students gathered around him.]

Teri: Somebody help! Who knows CPR?!

[Alan barges into the pool.]

Alan​​​: I do.

[He puts his end on Tobias's mouth, and pushes some of the air inside him into Tobias.]

Alan​​​: Come on! Come ON!

[He continues to do this, and in the process deflates himself slowly.]

Tobias​​​: [High-pitched] I will never forget this, Alan! [Cries on Alan's body]

[The flashback ends with Gumball and Darwin shivering.]

Gumball: He was so disgustingly nice, I threw up puppies for days. But you know what? I bet he isn't really that nice! Everyone has a breaking point, and I'm gonna prove it to you!

[Darwin frowns at his brother.]

Darwin: Why on earth would you want to do that?

Gumball: For science! And because the people deserve to know! And because I got nothing else to do today. [Walks away]

[Scene skips to Alan thumbs-upping every post on Elmore Plus. Gumball and Darwin watch him with their faces sandwiched through books.]

Gumball: For a dude with no thumbs, he sure does give a lot of thumbs up.

Alan​​​: Well, it doesn't cost anything, and it might just buy someone a smile.

Gumball: [Evil voice and eyes] I will break you!

Alan​​​: What?

[Gumball and Darwin drop their "disguises."]

Gumball: Someone over there needs your help for like two minutes.

Alan​​​: Always happy to help!

Gumball: Alan? Make it three.

Alan​​​: [Laughs] You got it!

Gumball: Right. [Goes to computer] What status update will ruin his life? [Laughs] I know. [Types] "Oh, my gosh! Why are there so many drawn people in Elmore? Go back to your flat country and stop ruining our economy!" [Updates status] Nobody likes a two-Dist.

[The status update immediately receives so much thumbs-down that the screen overflows with them. Alan returns.]

Gumball: Oh Alan! So, did you help 'em?

Alan​​​: Everyone was okay, but I made them even more okay!

[Gets pummeled by thumbs-down icons being launched from the computer.]

Alan​​​: [Confused] What happened?!

Gumball: I just assassinated your social life. What are you gonna do about it?

[Alan glares at them as there is a ominous tolling bell ring, and goes menacingly near Gumball. But he kisses Gumball, and pulls his "saintly" face.]

Alan​​​: Thank you. Now I get a chance to befriend them all again. [Flies away]

Gumball: I WILL BREAK YOU, MAN! No one's this nice! NO ONE! Because if they were, I'd have to ask some very difficult questions about myself!

Framed

[The bell rings, and the scene cuts to the Watterson duo in the yard. Darwin is drawing on a balloon that looks exactly like Alan.]

Darwin: What does Alan look like again?

Gumball: He's got this cheesy, noble expression all the time, like this.

[He rubs his face, and creates a perfect replica of Alan's face. He also imitates the music that plays when Alan does the face.] Make sure you get it exactly right. Don't forget any details.

Darwin: [Draws] Okay, I think it's done!

[Darwin shows his work. He not only draws the face, but Gumball doing it in the schoolyard. Gumball scowls at him.]

Darwin: What? You said, "don't forget any details."

[Gumball grabs Darwin's face, and puts it on the balloon.]

Gumball: That'll have to do.

Darwin: What's this for, anyway?

[Gumball does an evil laugh, and his brother laughs along, albeit nervously.]

Darwin: Why are we-- w-why are we laughing?

[Gumball continues his evil laughter.]

Darwin: Well, whatever it is sounds like it's gonna be a funny surprise!

[The scene cuts to the principal's office. Carmen and Alan are both sitting in front of Principal Brown's desk]

[He puts on the tape, and it shows the creepy clown entertaining some kids.]

Clown (TV): Now, who wants to see balloon tricks? [Grabs Jessica]

Jessica (TV): No! Please! I have a son! [Gets twisted] Dexter, make it stop!

Dexter (TV): JESSICA!

[The clown continues, and makes her into an animal. He proceeds to twist Dexter.]

Gumball: Dude, how can you be smiling at this?!

Alan​​​: Look at the happiness they're bringing to those children. It's beautiful. Also, they're balloons, you know. It's not that bad.

[Gumball and Darwin gape at him.]

Dexter (TV): They've made me into a hat!

Alan's Secret to Life

[Outside the school, Gumball breathes close to Alan. Then he grabs him, and bang heads together.]

Gumball: HOW CAN YOU NOT BE ANGRY AFTER ALL I'VE DONE TO YOU?! [Gasps] After all I've done to you. I made you lose all your friends, your girlfriend, sold your parents. Even worse, I ate your last meatball -- all of this to prove you can be just as bad as me? Could it be that… that… that I was wrong?

Darwin: IS THAT EVEN A QUESTION?!

Gumball: Oh, thanks, man. I almost doubted myself there.

Darwin: [Sighs]

Alan​​​: The secret is to stay positive. You know, Gumball, when a man says "yes" to life, life says "yes" to him.

Hobo: Hey, kid, you want to buy this popsicle? I just found it on the sidewalk.

Alan​​​: Yes! [Pays] Here's twenty dollars!

Rosie: Do you want to swap your popsicle for my balloons?

Alan​​​: Yes! [Untangles balloons, the balloons turn out to be his parents] Mom! Dad!

[They hug, then his parents fly away.]

Hobo: [Comes back, rich] Here's the kind young guy who was the only one to help me out. [Hands briefcase full of money] Here's the twenty dollars I owe you. With interest, that comes to twenty-million.

[As he leaves, Carrie and Sarah go to Alan, and touch him affectionately]

Carmen: GET OFF MY MAN! [Carmen tosses Sarah away, and Carries floats away] Do you still love me, Alan?

Alan​​​: [Laughs] Yes!

Carmen: [Holds up container with lots of meatballs] Then have some of these meatballs I prepared for you.

Alan​​​: Yes. ["Eats" meatball]

Alan​​​ and Carmen: I love you. [Walks away together]

Gumball and Darwin: UH-

[Gumball rubs his eyes while they're still open, then yelps in pain.]

Darwin: Dude, what did you expect? You just rubbed your bare eyeballs with your fists.

Gumball: We've been living our lives wrong all this time! From now on, we say yes to everything!

In Elmore Hospital

Twitchy Scientist: Thank you for agreeing to do this highly experimental testing! Are you sure that you want to go ahead with it?

Gumball and Darwin: Yes?

Twitchy Scientist: [Grabs serum] I'm not gonna lie to you. We found these in the back of the fridge. If you're worried about the taste, I can always inject it! What do you say?!

[The scene shows the outside of their room, and Gumball and Darwin scream/steam in pain. It cuts to Gumball on a bed, horribly disfigured/mutated.]

Saving a Stranger

Gumball: Dude, this isn't working! We said "yes" to everything, and has anything good happened?!

[On the sidewalk across them, Tony suddenly collapses, and his face turns red.]

Mr. Russo: Is there a doctor in the street?

Doctor Literature: I am a doctor… of literature.

Soap Opera Doctor: I'm a doctor… in a soap opera!

Twitchy Scientist: I was a doctor!

Mr. Russo: Is there an actual doctor in the street?

Gumball: [To Darwin] No.

Darwin: But he needs us!

Gumball: Okay. We'll help him -- but only after we study medicine for seven years.

Darwin: But he needs us now!

Gumball: I am not putting my hand on the slimy gizzard of some stranger!

Darwin: But what if we save his life, he lives, wins the lottery, and we end up with our own jetpacks, wearing pants made out of white tiger skin while eating unobtanium in a house made of crystal?!

Mr. Russo: Please, is there a doctor in the street?!

Gumball and Darwin: [Inhales] Yes!

[The scene switches to the Watterson's house, now a mound with large crystals embedded in it. Gumball (with blonde hair) and Darwin (with brown hair) live out their life, flying with jet packs while wearing pants made out of tiger skin and eating unobtanium. They toast their unobtanium together.]

Gumball: Dude, this is amazing!

Darwin: It's everything we ever wanted!

[They laugh, and toast again.]

Gumball: I hate it.

Darwin: I know, right? I feel like I've got something heavy in the pit of my stomach.

Gumball: That'll be the unobtanium. The problem is, when you have everything, you have nothing left to complain about. I think I liked it better when life was crummy.

Darwin: Let's get back to the way we were.

[They unstrap their jet packs, and fall down.]

Saint Alan

[In the school hallway, Gumball walks to Alan, depressed. His paws squeak the floor. Alan closes his locker.]

Gumball: I'm sorry for trying to break you, Alan. I should have known it was impossible. But I learned a lot about myself -- mostly that I'm a disgusting person and you're a better man then me. So, yeah. Thanks for that.

Alan​​​: [Makes face] What's important is that you stay true to yourself.

[Gumball grunts in irritation, then sighs and walks away. His squeaks suddenly make Alan angry.]